Transcriptions and English translations of early papers on the theory of relativity, arranged by topic. Each transcription follows the printed text, with the journal's page numbers in the margin and the printed equation numbers. Scans are from the Internet Archive; LaTeX sources and PDF files are on GitHub.
No-go theorems for extended bodies
Born (1909) proposed a definition of the rigid body suited to the theory of relativity. Ehrenfest (1909) showed that a body rigid in this sense cannot be set into uniform rotation; Herglotz and Noether (1910) showed that the definition leaves a body only three degrees of freedom; and Laue (1911) argued that, since no action propagates faster than light, no body can have a finite number of degrees of freedom.
Die Theorie des starren Elektrons in der Kinematik des Relativitätsprinzips
The theory of the rigid electron in the kinematics of the principle of relativity
Max Born (1882–1970). Annalen der Physik 335 [4. Folge 30] (1909): 1–56
Gleichförmige Rotation starrer Körper und Relativitätstheorie
Uniform rotation of rigid bodies and the theory of relativity
Paul Ehrenfest (1880–1933). Physikalische Zeitschrift 10 (1909): 918
A one-page note arguing that relativistic rigidity cannot be maintained for a cylinder set into uniform rotation: its periphery should contract while its radius should not. The origin of what became known as the Ehrenfest paradox.
Über den vom Standpunkt des Relativitätsprinzips aus als „starr“ zu bezeichnenden Körper
On the body to be described as “rigid” from the standpoint of the principle of relativity
Gustav Herglotz (1881–1953). Annalen der Physik 336 [4. Folge 31] (1910): 393–415
Zur Kinematik des starren Körpers in der Relativtheorie
On the kinematics of the rigid body in the theory of relativity
Fritz Noether (1884–1941). Annalen der Physik 336 [4. Folge 31] (1910): 919–944
Zur Diskussion über den starren Körper in der Relativitätstheorie
On the discussion of the rigid body in the theory of relativity
Max von Laue (1879–1960). Physikalische Zeitschrift 12 (1911): 85–87
On the definition of the centre of gravity of an arbitrary closed system in the theory of relativity
Christian Møller (1904–1980). Communications of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Series A, No. 5 (1949)
Shows that the centre of mass of a spinning body depends on the frame of reference: the centres for all frames fill a disc of radius S/Mc about the centre in the rest frame. A body with positive energy density cannot be smaller than this disc.
Planned
Sur la dynamique de l'électron
Henri Poincaré (1854–1912). Rendiconti del Circolo Matematico di Palermo 21 (1906): 129–175
Zur Kinematik des starren Körpers im System des Relativitätsprinzips
Max Born (1882–1970). Nachrichten von der Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, Math.-phys. Klasse (1910): 161–179
Zu Herrn v. Ignatowskys Behandlung der Bornschen Starrheitsdefinition
Paul Ehrenfest (1880–1933). Physikalische Zeitschrift 11 (1910): 1127–1129
Zum Ehrenfestschen Paradoxon
Vladimir Varićak (1865–1942). Physikalische Zeitschrift 12 (1911): 169–170
Zu Herrn v. Ignatowskys Behandlung der Bornschen Starrheitsdefinition II
Paul Ehrenfest (1880–1933). Physikalische Zeitschrift 12 (1911): 412–413
Zum Ehrenfestschen Paradoxon
Wladimir Sergejewitsch Ignatowski (1875–1942). Physikalische Zeitschrift 12 (1911): 414
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